Purchase payment collection apparatus

ABSTRACT

A transparent money receptacle mounted in the counter of a restaurant or diner or the like designed to receive a patron&#39;&#39;s payment, said receptacle including individual compartments for paper money and coins of different denominations, thereby permitting the ready tabulation of said payment by the waitress, and said apparatus including a lower, locked depository box into which said coins and currency are mechanically transferred by the waitress after the correctness of the customer&#39;&#39;s payment has been verified.

United States Patent Kuehlet a1.

[4 1 Oct. 17, 1972 PURCHASE PAYMENT COLLECTION APPARATUS [72] Inventors: Earl J. Kuehl; La May R. Kuehl, both of 11127 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, Wis. 53226 22' Filed: Feb. 19,1971

[2!] Appl. No.: 117,011

52 use. ..l86/1 A, 232/7 [51] Int. Cl. ..E04h 3/04 [58] Field of Search ..186/1; 232/7; 194/4 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,202,345 8/1965 Kuehlet al. ..232/7 3,415,348 12/1968 Wahlberg ..194/4 Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Homsby Assistant Examiner-Merle F. Maffei Attorney-Arthur L. Morsell, Jr. and Curtis B. Morsell; Jr.

ABSTRACT A transparent money receptacle mounted in the counter ofa restaurant or diner or the like designed to receive a patrons payment, said receptacle including individual compartments for paper money and coins of different denominations, thereby permitting the ready tabulation of said payment by the waitress, and said apparatus including a-lower, locked depository box into which said coins and currency are mechanically transferred by the waitress after the correctness of the customers payment has been verified.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDucI 17 SHEET 1 [IF 2 IN VEN TORS PATENTEDUCT 17 1912 SHEET 2 [1F 2 IN VENTORS 64% M W 7* PURCHASE PAYMENT COLLECTION APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to devices for tabulating and receiving purchase payments in restaurants or the like. The invention comprises an improved version of the apparatus disclosed in issued U.S. Pat. No. 3,202,345 owned by the present applicants.

2. Description of the Prior Art l-leretofore various types of receptacles have been designed in an effort to eliminate the necessity for restaurant employees handling any money, thereby eliminating the possibility of theft by such employees, as well as eliminating the necessity for employing a fullv time cashier which is a very costly item in the operation of a restaurant.

One of the more successful devices of the type described was invented by the present applicants and is disclosed-in detail in their U.S. Pat. No. 3,202,345 dated Aug. 24, 1965. Unfortunately, however, said earlier device, like most prior receptacles intended for the same purposes, is relatively complex and not entirely satisfactory in operation.

Examples of other prior purchase payment receptacles of thegeneral type here involved are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,014,599; 2,465,431; 2,629,546; 1,010,993; 221,496; 2,680,444; 197,315; 2,478,076; 506,997; and 2,105,442.

SUMMARY'OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a new and improved receptacle apparatus mounted in the counter of a restaurant or the like for collecting purchase payments from the restaurant customers, said new device including an upper, glass-enclosed display compartment into which the customers payment is deposited and where it is clearly visible to the waitress or salesperson, and said device including mechanical means allowing the waitress to transfer the money deposited in the upper, display portion of the unit to an attached locked depository box located beneath the counter after she has determined that the correct amount of the customers bill has been paid.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved receptacle device for collecting customers purchase payments in restaurants or the like, as described, there being one of said receptacles installed adjacent each of the counter stools or stations, and said receptacle devices including electric pushbutton-operated signal means indicating when the station is occupied by a customer.

A further object is to provide a glass-enclosedmoney receptacle as described including electric light means illuminating the display compartment interior to aid the waitress or restaurant employee in tabulating the money deposited therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved device for collecting customers payments in restaurants or the like, as described, which device includes a transparent coin display compartment featuring separate, adjacent, inclined retaining troughs or chutes for coins of different denominations, including pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and half dollars, thus facilitating the job of the waitress in tabulatingthe customer's deposit, and which device also includes a separate, adjacent compartment into which paper money is inserted and separately displayed, the separation of said sections preventing the bills from covering and obscuring from view the coins deposited in said receptacle, thereby further facilitating the job of the waitress in checking the amount of the deposit.

A further object is to provide a money receptacle for restaurants or the like, as described, wherein a plurality of money-changing machines may be conveniently stationed around the restaurant to allow a customer to quickly and easily obtain the required coin denominations 'for deposit in the receptacle to pay his bill, although the provision of said coin changers is not to be considered a critical element of the invention.

A further object is to provide an improved money receptacle for restaura'nts'and diners or the like which device includes a novel lever mechanism operable by the waitress from behind the counter when she desires to transfer the coins and currency from the upper, display. portion of the receptacle to the locked depository compartment therebelow, where said money is accessible only to the restaurant manager or other authorized party in possession of the key to said locked lower compartment.

A further object is to' provide an improved money receptacle as described which is so designed that both the customer and restaurant employee can easily simultaneously view the contents of the receptacle from their respective positions on opposite sides of the counter.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved money receptacle which is designed primarilyv for use in restaurants and diners, as described, but which novel device can also be advantageously utilized in other commercial establishments as well.

Still further objects of the invention are to provide a novel money receptacle for restaurants, as described, which device is relatively simple and inexpensive in design, rugged and durable in construction, foolproof in operation, and which is otherwise particularly well adapted for its intended purposes.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention comprises the improved purchase money receptacle for restaurants and the like as set forth in the following specification, and any and all modifications or variations thereof as may come within the spirit of said invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, illustrating one preferred embodiment of the present invention, and wherein the same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of the views:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the receptacle illustrating the coin-display compartment and a portion of the lower depository compartment, showing the bill-transfer mechanism in the forward position assumed when paper money is being transferred to said lower compartment;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing said bill-transfer mechanism in its normal, retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the coindisplay section, showing the coin-transfer mechanism in its normal, retracted position;

FIG. 4 is a similar fragmentary perspective view showing said coin-transfer mechanism in the forward position assumed when coins are being transferred from the upper, display compartment to the lower, boxlike depository compartment; 7

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view illustrating the pushbutton and signal light assem ly; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the complete receptacle device comprising the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to FIG. 6 of the drawings, illustratingthe complete purchase payment collection apparatus, said unit includes a rearward portion 10, hereinafter referred to as the display compartment, which compartment is provided with a flat surface having a transparent glass or plastic top viewing panel 11 and an upwardly and rearwardly inclined rearward portion 12 provided with openings therein through which money can be inserted, as will be hereinafter described.

As will be seen in the drawings, the display compartment l0 beneath the transparent panel 11 is divided into two adjacent sections, a first section 13 adapted to receive coins, and a second section 14 adapted to receive paper money. Said first section 13 includes a forwardly downwardly inclined bottom member having a plurality of parallel, spaced ribs or rails providing adjacent retaining troughs or chutes 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 adapted to receive pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and 50 cent pieces, respectively. Immediately above and in alignment with said coin-retaining troughs 16-20 are circular openings 22, 23, 24, and 26 in the inclined back portion 12 of a size to receive said specified coins, and which openings communicate with said coin-accommodating troughs 1620. The particular coin-denomination is clearly delineated on such back portion 12 immediately beneath the corresponding opening 22 -26, and in the preferred embodiment of the invention, instructions such as Pay Correct Amount, or a similar direction, is also displayed on said back member 12. As best appears in FIGS. 3 and 4, the forward, lower ends of said inclined coin-retaining troughs l620 abut a hinged trap door 29 mounted flush in the back wall of the lower, collection compartment 28 featured in the present invention, as will be hereinafter described in greater detail.

The second display section 14 beneath the transparent viewing panel 11 is designed to receive paper money, as described, and the forward portion of said second section abuts a hinged trap door 30, in the back wall of the lower, depository compartment 28 (FIGS. 1

and 2), the purpose of which will become apparent. Im-

opening 32.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, and as is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,'the back member 12 is provided with a colored window 33 through which the word Reserved is visible when an electric light 34 (FIG. 5) is energized by means of an adjacent pushbutton switch 35. The purpose of said sign is to indicate when a particular place at the counter of a restaurant or diner is occupied. A second electric light 36 (FIG. 6) is mounted within the display compartment 10 of the present receptacle in order to provide sufficient illumination for both the waitress and customer to clearly see and tabulate the money deposited therein.

The lower, box-like depository compartment 28 incorporated in the present invention communicates with the display sections 13, 14 by means of hinged trap doors 29, 30, as described, and said compartment 28 includes a hinged bottom 28 which can be secured in a closed condition by means of a suitable key-actuated lock mechanism 38 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Preferably the novel money receptacle comprising the present invention is mounted in the counter of a restaurant or diner with the rearward, display portion 10 of said receptacle projecting above the surface of said counter adjacent the back edge thereof, and with the locked depository compartment 28 hidden from view beneath said counter.

In the use of the present invention, after a restaurant patron has placed his order the waitress writes out a conventional check showing the amount he owes for his food, and the customer deposits the indicated amount in the receptacle. As mentioned, there are preferably a number of money-changing machines mounted on the walls at various convenient locations in the restaurant to permit the customer to readily obtain the exact required amount of coins and deposit the same in the receptacle. Paper money is rolled and inserted through the opening 32, as described, where it falls into the display section 14 beneath the transparent window 1 1, and coins are inserted into the appropriate openings 22-26, where they fall into the section 13 and are retained in the inclined adjacent troughs 16-20. The waitress can readily view and tabulate the amount of money deposited by the customer in the receptacle, through the viewing window 11, and if the amount is correct she then transfers said money to the locked compartment 28 therebelow, as will now be described.

In order to clear the coin display section 13 and transfer the coins therein to the locked depository compartment 28, an elongated plunger or rod 39 is longitudinally movably mounted beneath said section and is designed to be pushed inwardly by means of a grip 40 against the tension of a spring 41 from its normal retracted position (FIG. 3), wherein it is out of engagement with the aforementioned hinged trap door 29 in the rear wall of said lower compartment, to a forwardly projecting position (FIG. 4) wherein said rod pushes said trap door 29 inwardly to an open position. When said trap door 29 is urged inwardly to its open position, as described, the coins carried in the inclined chutes or troughs 16-20 slide downwardly and fall into said locked compartment, the spring 41 returning the rod 39 to its retracted position and allowing the trap door 29 to swing back to its closed position.

To clear the paper money display section 14 a contoured pusher plate 43 which spans the width of said section and which is normally positioned adjacent the back of said section (FIG. 2) may be moved forwardly by the waitress through the action of a handle'44 and pivotal lever mechanism 45. Said plate 43 has a rod 46 projecting forwardly therefrom and when said unit is urged forwardly to the position of FIG. 1 said rod forces the aforementioned hinged trap door 30 in the lower compartment rear wall inwardly to an open position and said plate 43 functions to push the bill or bills into said locked compartment. The waitress then manipulates the lever mechanism 44, 45 to return said plate 43 to its retracted position, and the display portion of the receptacle is cleared and ready for the next customer. At the end of the business day the restaurant manager or other authorized personnel having the key therefor can unlock said lower, depository compartment 28 and remove the money therefrom.

As hereinabove mentioned, the present invention provides a new and improved receptacle apparatus mounted in the counter of a restaurant or the like for collecting purchase payments from customers, said device eliminating the necessity for the restaurant employees handlingany money and thus avoiding the possibility of theft by such employees, which has become an increasingly vexatious problem in the operation. of restaurants. In addition, the use of said invention eliminates the necessity for employing a cashier, which provides a substantial cost saving in the operation of a restaurant. Moreover, said novel money receptacle comprising the present invention is relatively simple and inexpensive 'in design, rugged and durable in construction, foolproof in operation, and is otherwise particularly well adapted for its intended purposes.

It is to be understood that while one preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein numerous variations or modifications thereof may occur to those skilled in this particular art. What is intended to be covered herein, therefore, is not only the form of the invention disclosed herein but also any and all variations or modifications thereof as may come within the spirit and intended scope of said invention.

What we claim is:

l. A purchase payment collection apparatus mountable in a restaurant counter, comprising: a rearward, display compartment projecting above the counter, 'said compartment having a flat top surface with a transparent viewing window and having an upwardly and rearwardly inclined rear portion, said display compartment being divided into a coin-receiving section and a separate, adjacent paper currency-receiving section; a lower, box-like depository compartment attached to and extending forwardly from said display compartment beneath the counter, said depository compartment having a back wall with a first hinged trap door therein communicating with the coin-receiving section of said display compartment and a second hinged trap door communicating with the currency-receiving section of said display compartment, and said depository compartment having a hinged bottom; key-actuated lock means in said depository compartment adapted to releasably lock said bottom in a closed condition; a forwardly downwardly inclined bottom member in said display compartment coin-receiving section beneath said vie in windo havin a lura it of s aced lel ribs or iing adjacent oin retainiiig clrutes ci f d iiferent widths adapted to receive pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and fifty cent pieces, respectively, the lower ends of said chutes abutting said first trap door in the depository compartment; a plurality of circular openings in the inclined rearward portion of said display compartment aligned and communicating with said coin chutes, each of said openings being of a size to have inserted therein the coin denomination of the particular coin chute aligned therewith; an elongated plunger longitudinally movably mounted beneath said coin display section, said plunger being movable by a person behind the counter from a retracted position to a forward position wherein the forward end of the plunger engages said first trap door of the depository compartment and pushes said hinged door inwardly to an open condition allowing coins in said inclined chutes to slide down the same into said depository compartment; spring means normally yieldably maintaining said plunger in its retracted position; a circular opening in the inclined rearward portion of said display compartment aligned and communicating with said currencyreceiving section, said opening being of a size to have a rolled bill inserted therethrough and deposited in said currency-receiving section; a pusher plate movably carried within and normally positioned adjacent the back of said currency-receiving section, said plate spanning substantially the entire width of said section and said plate having a rod projecting forwardly therefrom; and means operable by a person behind the counter for temporarily shifting said plate forwardly to a position wherein said rod engages the second hinged trap door of said depository compartment and forces the same inwardly to an open condition, and wherein said plate pushes any paper money in said currency-receiving section through said open trap door and into said depository compartment.

2. The apparatus recited in claim 1, and including electric light means within said display compartment adapted to illuminate the interior of said compartment of facilitate the tabulation of money deposited therein.

3. The apparatus recited in claim 2 and including: a window-like opening formed in said inclined rearward portion of said display compartment and switch-controlled, electrically operated means for indicating that the adjacent counter space is reserved. 

1. A purchase payment collection apparatus mountable in a restaurant counter, comprising: a rearward, display compartment projecting above the counter, said compartment having a flat top surface with a transparent viewing window and having an upwardly and rearwardly inclined rear portion, said display compartment being divided into a coin-receiving section and a separate, adjacent paper currency-receiving section; a lower, box-like depository compartment attached to and extending forwardly from said display compartment beneath the counter, said depository compartment having a back wall with a first hinged trap door therein communicating with the coin-receiving section of said display compartment and a second hinged trap door communicating with the currency-receiving section of said display compartment, and said depository compartment having a hinged bottom; keyactuated lock means in said depository compartment adapted to releasably lock said bottom in a closed condition; a forwardly downwardly inclined bottom member in said display compartment coin-receiving section beneath said viewing window having a plurality of spaced parallel ribs forming adjacent coin-retaining chutes of different widths adapted to receive pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and fifty cent pieces, respectively, the lower ends of said chutes abutting said first trap door in the depository compartment; a plurality of circular openings in the inclined rearward portion of said display compartment aligned and communicating with said coin chutes, each of said openings being of a size to have inserted therein the coin denomination of the particular coin chute aligned therewith; an elongated plunger longitudinally movably mounted beneath said coin display section, said plunger being movable by a person behind the counter from a retracted position to a forward position wherein the forward end of the plunger engages said first trap door of the depository compartment and pushes said hinged door inwardly to an open condition allowing coins in said inclined chutes to slide down the same into said depository compartment; spring means normally yieldably maintaining said plunger in its retracted position; a circular opening in the inclined rearward portion of said display compartment aligned and communicating with said currencyreceiving section, said opening being of a size to have a rolled bill inserted therethrough and deposited in said currencyreceiving section; a pusher plate movably carried within and normally positioned adjacent the back of said currency-receiving section, said plate spanning substantially the entire width of said section and said plate having a rod projecting forwardly therefrom; and means operable by a person behind the counter for temporarily shifting said plate forwardly to a position wherein said rod engages the second hinged trap door of said depository compartment and forces the same inwardly to an open condition, and wherein said plate pushes any paper money in said currencyreceiving section through said open trap door and into said depository compartment.
 2. The apparatus recited in claim 1, and including electric light means within said display compartment adapted to illuminate the interior of said compartment to facilitate the tabulation of money deposited therein.
 3. The apparatus recited in claim 2 and including: a window-like opening formed in said inclined rearward portion of said display compartment and switch-controlled, electrically operated means for indicating that the adjacent counter space is reserved. 